Italy, Hawaii. But why is it that none of us would say East Timor, Bangladesh
or Uganda?
The truth of the matter is that the country we are born in plays a
vital role in how our life
will turn out.
Take for
instance a new born baby in Australia. Before even their first cry they are
guaranteed an education, freedom of speech, religious expression, countless
opportunities and the ability to elect their government. They will live for
around 82 years
and will spend approximately $30 000 on shoes.
But in Swaziland, a small country in Africa, a new born baby has a very different life set
out before them. They will live for approximately 48 ½ years, but that’s
only if they
make to the age of 5 – 80% don’t. They have a 1 in 3 chance of
having stunted growth,
and will live in a country with the highest Each of
these babies have neither earnt nor
chosen the country they are born into, yet
it is this country that defines their future –
their life expectancy, their
health and their freedom. We can see clearly from these
two countries – Australia and Swaziland – that although they’re only a 13 hour plane ride
two countries – Australia and Swaziland – that although they’re only a 13 hour plane ride
away,
they seem worlds apart. And that is because huge inequalities exist in our
world.
Although
we have enough resources to support two times the world's population, 4.8
billion people live on less than $3 a day. However, what we often forget is
that behind
this staggering statistic are real people.
Imagine
you are 9.
You are
Sophia.
One day when you were little
You woke to find your mum and dad
were gone
They left in the middle of the night
You and your brothers cried for days
Your grandmother tells you that no
matter how hard your parents try
They could never make enough money or
grow enough food.
Leaving the village to work in the
city was their only choice.
Every day is still a struggle
Because you’re hungry.
Sometimes you all share one meal a
day.
The school has asked for your exam
fees again.
If the 30 taka is not paid soon
You will have to repeat the whole
year.
30 taka… that’s 49 cents
School or food… Your family faces choices that no one else has to
make.
Sometimes your grandmother chooses
not to eat at all.
When your brothers are hungry, they
cry all day.
If only there was a way for your
parents to grow food and make a living here
Then they could come home and you
could be a family again.
You are nine. You are Sofia.
Sofia’s story is one
that we can change. By you participating
in the 40 hour famine, and
raising just $10, you are improving the nutrition of
10 children under the age of 2.
If you raise $20,
you are feeding two people for a month. And $50, well it can train 50
people to
start their own small business.
For this 40hf it’s
all about you taking a stand against hunger. It’s about each and every
one of
us giving up so others don’t have to go without. Whether it be your phone, your
bed or food – each of us has the power to use 40 hours of our time to save a life.
You can quite easily
close this post and not think twice about poverty, but Sofia doesn’t
have that
luxury. So I invite you to be a part of the 40 hour famine movement – to use
this unbelievable opportunity to take a stand and make a real difference in the fight
against hunger.
Sign up here: http://www.40hourfamine.com.au/
Well done GA! Your work in raising both $ and awareness of this important cause is inspiring.
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